Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: pgerassi who wrote (130862)	1/28/2001 8:33:31 AM
From: combjelly	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1571785

"It accomplished one major task that you have yet to give credit where it is due, the elimination of the USSR." But did it? Oh it was a contributing factor, but Afganistan likely was a whole lot larger one. Those Vietnam-like debacles are very expensive, socially speaking, ask the French and the British if you think the US experience is unique. SDI presented what was likely an insurmountable technological problem for the USSR. But they were not nearly as dependent on nuclear as a deterrent as we were at the time. No, their pride were their tanks, helicopters and their cannon fodder. Afganistan showed that the intelligent weapons program that Carter pinned his hopes on, actually were effective. Suddenly, their helicopters and tanks were vulnerable, and that was just the stuff that was man-portable and could easily be smuggled in. It is still my feeling that Afganistan was committed to in the degree that it was so that the USSR could have troops with field experience. The plan likely was to blood the troops, and then see exactly how committed the US was to defending Europe. Ronnie put a crimp in that plan, but seeing how their finest got chewed up and spit out was an eye-opener for them. They couldn't even take solace in the illusions that a European excursion would be different, their thousands of tanks and helicopters would likely suffer the same fate as in Afganistan. During that time period the USSR would supply other countries with equipment, but they never supplied the good stuff. I am sure they were certain the US was doing the same, and if the Afgani's were that effective with "de-featured" weapons, what would the first-line equipment do? The death, or at least an indefinite delay, of that decades long dream of unifying Europe and getting thr respect ir deserved, hit hard. The turmoil and hesitancy that marked the US after Vietnam gave them hope that they could pull it off, and then it got jerked away from them. Some times life just isn't fair....

To: pgerassi who wrote (130862)	1/28/2001 10:25:56 AM
From: f.simons	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1571785

Pete, That was what they claimed about Reagan Star Wars. It accomplished one major task that you have yet to give credit where it is due, the elimination of the USSR. You have got to be kidding. I do give Reagan some credit for the unlamented demise of the Soviet Union. To claim that the threat of SDI forced the Soviets to fold their tents, however, is laughable. Have you looked at the state of the Soviet economy at that time? Or even now? And please don't tell me their economy was in shambles because of the money they spent on combating our SDI. Frank

To: pgerassi who wrote (130862)	1/28/2001 10:46:35 AM
From: Scumbria	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1571785

Pete, That was what they claimed about Reagan Star Wars. It accomplished one major task that you have yet to give credit where it is due, the elimination of the USSR. My wife was living in the USSR under Reagan, and I can assure you that Reagan's fantasies had little or nothing to do with the problems that caused the collapse of that country. 80 years of economic and political malaise, combined with a complete stifling of all entrepreneurship was the culprit. One thing I do give the Republican leadership credit for is the amazing smear job they did on Clinton over the last eight years. His work was nearly perfect during that period, yet they managed to make him leave disgraced. I hope you are relly proud of your party. Scumbria Scumbria